Dream State

Authors

Audrey L. Stommes, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

4-2013

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Fine Arts, Major: Art, Under the Supervision of Professor Aaron Holz. Lincoln, Nebraska: April, 2013

Copyright (c) 2013 Audrey Stommes

Abstract

My work explores the moments before falling asleep as well as my dreams, allowing my experiences and subconscious to emerge in the paintings. My bed has become my sanctuary and permeates my life and work. The tight confines of my studio apartment push all conceivable activity to, on, or around my bed. The paintings, in turn, have become a visual diary of the occurrences within this space, allowing me to explore a fundamental human experience of dreaming.

My current work translates my experiences while I employ visual language from past work developed from observation. I combine techniques of drawing and painting on sheets of Tyvek measuring roughly the size of my bed. Working large in a life-size scale allows me to make use of my whole body to compose images. The layered forms and colors covering the surface of these works mine my observations that occur to me in a dream state.

No longer restricted to the rules of the consciously observed form, the new pieces exhibit the inherent freedom of my subconscious. The gestural limbs of the figure exist in a state of restlessness. By placing patterns over the exterior of the bodies torsos the figures partially retreat to a space of internal contemplation.